Law Reform
Law reform is a fundamental part of the PLA’s role. As the representative body of contentious and advisory property lawyers, we consistently monitor new and proposed legislation – regularly surveying our members, lobbying for change where appropriate and responding to consultation papers by the Law Commission, Ministry of Justice and others.
We also liaise with the Judiciary, the Court Service, the Law Commission and other professional groups such as the Property Bar Association, RICS, the British Property Federation and the British Retail Consortium to gather different insights and perspectives.
Members of our Law Reform Committee also sit on various Court User groups and committees, ensuring that the PLA’s voice is heard.
Below, you’ll find our latest member surveys and consultations on law reform.
Law Reform Committee
Paul Tonkin, Chair
Hogan Lovells International LLP
paul.tonkin@hoganlovells.com
Nyree Applegarth
Higgs & Sons
nyree.applegarth@higgsandsons.co.uk
Sabrina Furneaux-Gotch
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Sabrina.Furneaux-Gotch@Mishcon.com
Eloise Illingworth
Macfarlanes LLP
eloise.illingworth@macfarlanes.com
020 7849 2310
Jacqui Joyce
Property Mediation Ltd
jacqui@thepropertymediators.co.uk
Lauren King
Mishcon de Reya LLP
lauren.king@mishcon.com
Emma Pinkerton
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
emma.pinkerton@cms-cmno.com
Adam Gross
Fladgate LLP
AGross@fladgate.com
07967 821239
Emily Carroll
University of Birmingham
e.j.carroll@bham.ac.uk
0121 414 7025
Matthew Weal
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Matthew.Weal@hsf.com
020 7466 7535
07720 733701
PLA Surveys & upcoming User Groups
Current surveys for PLA members to provide feedback to consultations and other matters of law reform and legal practice and details of upcoming User Groups.
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Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services: consultation
22nd Aug 2025
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have published a consultation entitled “Strengthening Leasehold Protections over Charges and Services” dated 4 July 2025. The consultation itself is lengthy and includes over 200 questions. The Law Reform Committee has sought to identify the questions of most relevant to PLA members, so that we can prepare a summary response to the consultation on behalf of the PLA.Read article
Law Reform Consultation Responses & News
PLA responses to consultation on property law reform, reports from User Group meetings and other law reform news.
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Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill - PLA Response to Call for Evidence
26th Feb 2026
The PLA's response to The Housing Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s Call for Evidence on the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which included views submitted to the LRC by members, was submitted to the Committee on 25 February 2026.Read article -
Law Commission Update: Property Law Reform Under the 14th Programme
26th Feb 2026
The LRC recently met with the Law Commission's Property, Family and Trusts team to discuss their current work programme and future priorities in property law and to meet Lisa Webley, the newly appointed Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trusts. The meeting emphasised the value of input from respected organisations such as the PLA, noting that understanding the real-world impact of their work is crucial to effective law reform.Read article -
Property Litigation Association Response to the Proposed Reform of the 1954 Act Consultation Paper
26th Feb 2025
Property Litigation Association Response to the Proposed Reform of the 1954 Act Consultation PaperRead article
Law Reform blogs
Blogs from the Law Reform Committee.
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Blog: Law Reform Committee – Edition 11: Summary of the interim statement by Law Commission on the future of the 1954 Act.
17th Jun 2025
Law Commission has published its interim statement on the future of the 1954 Act, setting out its provisional conclusions about the current model of security of tenure, what types of tenancy should benefit from security of tenure under the 1954 Act, and what duration of tenancy should benefit. PLA Law Reform Committee member, Nyree Applegarth, provides a summary of the conclusions.Read article -
Blog: Law Reform Committee - Edition 10: Martyn's Law
12th Jun 2025
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (the Act) —commonly referred to as Martyn’s Law—received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Named after Martyn Hett one of 22 people who died at the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017, Martyn’s Law is designed to improve the preparedness of public venues in the event of a terrorist attack. Member of the PLA Law Reform Committee, Dr Emily Carroll, outlines what this means for Qualifying Premises with a capacity of 200 people or more.Read article -
Blog: Law Reform Committee - Edition 9: Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Users’ meeting on 22 January 2025
28th May 2025
Eloise Illingworth of the PLA LRC attended the most recent Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Users’ meeting on 22 January 2025. In this blog, we have set out below the key takeaways and tips for PLA members and Tribunal users gleaned from the meeting.Read article